The Best of Digital Diatribes (In one man’s opinion…)

Over the course of my time here, there seem to be a handful of posts that I keep referring to. These posts are referred to because of other studies that arise, or questions that come up.

I don’t consider my blog to, for the most part, have provided a plethora of new information to the discussion on climate, climate change, or the science behind the data. Most of my posts on the subject are more of a curiosity. “Hey, here’s a bunch of data. Here’s a bunch of trends at different lengths. Here’s how those trends are changing.” Most people with an understanding of Excel and statistics could do something similar. I guess maybe others aren’t as interested to just look through a bunch of numbers to see if any interesting things jump out, so to the extent I’ve been able to add something, that’s great.

There have been times, though, where I do an analysis and put together a post that I’m particularly proud of. I believe it actually does add to the debate.

Interestingly, those more complex posts with an actual interesting conclusion seem to get less attention than a simple trend line chart. I continue to be astonished by the debates that can ensue over a simple line chart.

But nevertheless, since there are a few posts that (a) I really like, (b) refer to quite a bit – and every time I do I have to dig through and remember where it is, and (c) I think actually add a new insight to the debate, I thought I’d highlight these posts again, while putting them all into one post.

So, with that introduction, here they are:(1) Sunspot study that derives a correlation between sunspots and temperature

(2) A best fit of sine waves to HadCrut data that clearly shows cycles within the temperature data

(3) A look at the AMO data, demonstrating where we are in the current cycle, and where we’re headed

(4) A look at a few ocean cycles, but the focus here is the PDO analysis

(5) A demonstration of the fallacy of a singular trend-line fit in the recent temperature data, and how most of the increase in temps has come from a single step

The commonly used NINO3.4 SST anomaly data is available from 3 SST datasets: Kaplan, HADISST, and ERSST.v3b. The major differences occur prior to 1940 and they’re based on the methods used to infill missing data.

And they become more questionable prior to the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914.

The Diatribe Guysaid

Jeff, I greatly admire what you’ve done with the Air Vent. You are doing a great service with all your dedication and hard work. I appreciate the fact that I was able to play a small part in stirring up the desire for you to start your work.

When I started blogging, it was quite honestly at the suggestion of my wife. She felt I needed an outlet for my thoughts. I’d bring up random things and spend a week or two studying them and want to discuss them and – well – she isn’t the most technically oriented or as interested in deep discussion of political, scientific, theological or global warming oriented topics, etc. I didn’t even set up my blog because I wasn’t going to do it. She did it for me.

So, I just blogged on random topics. It was an outlet. I never intended to get an audience or serve any greater purpose.

Suddenly, I threw up a few charts because I was interested in the global warming stuff. Along the way, a numebr of people started following those things closely. I suddenly felt a burden of responsibility to keep doing it, but at some point my “outlet” became another responsibility and, in a way, was in opposition to setting up my blog.

Add in 8 kids and all that comes with that, added responsibilities at work and all that comes with that, and I had to make a decision: I punted.

Now, I am keeping the blogs around, and I do occasionally get the urge to look at some numbers and see what’s going on. If and when I update charts, or delve into something new, I will post it, and try to remember to let you know about it.

Lukesaid

My favourite posts were when you were putting a line of best fit through the last 10 years or so (maybe back in 2008). Subject to you having a life could you please, please, please update this with the current data? Or maybe direct me to where I could find someoen else who keeps something like that up to date?

Lukesaid

You’d be interested to note that the current political debate in Australia centres around the issue of climate change. It looks like the next election (and it may not be far off given we have a hung parliment) may largely be fought over a carbon tax.

The government, which is pushing for the carbon tax, has squarely put the view that the science is settled. Gets me a tad miffed.